Protecting the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflict - The Role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Abstract: This thesis examines how environmental treaties, also referred to as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can enhance the protection of the environment during armed conflicts of both international and non-international character. The examination also covers the immediate aftermath of armed conflicts. Most of the previous research has focused on the application of the law of armed conflict and customary international environmental law to address the issue of wartime environmental damage. However, there appears to be a knowledge gap on how MEAs can operate in relation to armed conflicts. I argue that MEAs present a missed opportunity to strengthen environmental protection in relation to armed conflict, both at an institutional and a normative level. I explore this opportunity by studying the operation of the World Heritage Convention and the Ramsar Convention in relation to armed conflict.